b'It is said that momentum has both magnitude and direction. Fast-Evolving Cell and Gene Hub Targets DiseaseThats a pretty apt explanation for what happens when our Community members begin to research, develop, and mold theirCell and gene therapy offers incredible promise for patients and their families. In the last decade, research breakthroughs discoveries and projects. Fitzsimons Innovation Community and government approvals advanced these game-changing is proud to be the venue where momentum takes place, treatments for a variety of illnesses, including cancer. Forward-thinking academic institutions, collaborative hospitals, and where work gets done, and where discoveries gather innovative companies are working to translate discoveries into steam and change the landscape of health and care. treatments for patients, creating hubs for cell and gene therapy. Colorado is a rising leader in this space, with more than 30 companies focused on variations of the novel, life-saving technologies. They are supported by the states convergence of leading-edge research, clinical collaborations, and specialized infrastructure that includes manufacturing capabilities. Cell and gene therapy serves as a broad term for two crucial tools in the disease-fighting workbench. The FDA defines cellular therapy products as cellular immunotherapies, cancer vaccines, and other types of both autologous and allogeneic cells for certain therapeutic indications, including hematopoietic stem cells and adult and embryonic stem cells. It classifies gene therapy as a treatment that seeks to modifyCU ANSCHUTZ CHANCELLOR DONALD M. ELLIMAN JR., or manipulate the expression of a gene or to alter the biologicalTERRY FRY, M.D., AND DIANE GATES WALLACH properties of living cells for therapeutic use. Clay Smith, M.D., a hematologist and director of UCHealthsEstablishing the Gates InstituteBlood Disorder and Cell Therapies Center at the UniversityIn May 2022, the Gates Institute was announced after a of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, said the last decade$200 million commitment from the Gates Frontier Fund, and has proved crucial to the advancement of this field. What wasan investment by CU Anschutz. The Gates Institute expands long a theoretical treatment option for patients transitionedon the success of two entities, the Gates Biomanufacturing to a viable one with the introduction, and ultimate federalFacility, which is housed within Fitzsimons Innovation approval in 2017, of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cellCommunity, and the Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine. therapy, Smith said. About 10 years ago, they saw the firstBoth have been leading centers for stem cell research and consistent proof. That was the CAR-T cells in pediatrics forregenerative therapies for cancer and other diseases.children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Smith said. ItTerry Fry, M.D., a pediatric oncologist and world-renowned completely revolutionized the field. With that revolution came apioneer in the development of CAR-T therapies, is the inaugural reinvigorated interest from the research community in applyingexecutive director. His research has changed the treatment of this treatment for a variety of diseases. Now, a decade later,pediatric leukemia patients, achieving an 80% remission rate in CAR-T cells are used for many blood cancer treatments and kids with leukemia who otherwise had been unresponsive to are being studied for other uses.The academicother treatments.The new Institute gives CU Anschutz scientists a place to develop cell and gene therapeutics more effectively and will world must partnertransform the frontier of regenerative medicine and cellular and closely if we are togene therapies in the Rocky Mountain region.This is an incredible opportunity to help patients facing serious make life better forhealth issues and will change the face of medicine as we know our patients. it, said Fry. This is a pivotal moment for the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado, and the region. We will look back at CLAY SMITH, M.D. the creation of the Gates Institute in the not-too-distant future DIRECTOR OF UCHEALTHS BLOOD DISORDER and be able to point to therapies and cures made possible AND CELL THERAPIES CENTERthrough this monumental commitment.CU ANSCHUTZ MEDICAL CAMPUSContinued on next page12Fitzsimons Innovation Community Annual Innovation Report 13'